The city of Pembroke has followed in the footsteps of the Bryan County Board of Commissioners and other area government entities in offering its support of keeping jobs at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.
The council unanimously approved a resolution during its regular meeting Monday in City Hall to oppose the sequestration of the U.S. Army that could result if Congress is unable to pass a budget by the end of the year.
Mayor Mary Warnell told the council and meeting attendees if sequestration is allowed to set in, it would result in nearly 7,000 jobs lost at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. That would lead to other economic impacts throughout the area, she said.
Warnell said Tuesday the council felt it was important to pass the resolution because of the role the Army plays in keeping the city and nation safe.
“The No. 1 (reason) would be for the safety of the United States and of our citizens,” she said. “That is part of our resolution, that we feel it’s important that we keep a fully staffed Army to protect our citizens in the nation.
“The second would be in order to do that, you have to have training facilities available, and we want to make sure Fort Stewart stays in business.”
The resolution states that the council believes “not only will sequestration have a negative economic impact directly related to the economic future of the city of Pembroke and surrounding communities, but also the impact of costs incurred in preparations put in place for the present status of the installations. Further, not only is the economic impact of the city of Pembroke in jeopardy, but the entire nation.”
Other area governments, including the cities of Hinesville, Midway, Flemington and Riceboro, as well as Liberty County and the Coastal Regional Commission passed similar resolutions last week.

Read more in the Sept. 19 edition of the News.